squeak Hear it!

squeak Definition

squeak (skwēk)

intransitive verb

  1. to make or utter a short, sharp, high-pitched sound or cry
  2. Chiefly Brit., Informal to act as an informer; squeal

Etymology: ME squeken, prob. akin to ON skvakka, to gurgle

transitive verb

  1. to utter or produce in a squeak
  2. to cause (a door, etc.) to squeak

noun

a thin, sharp, usually short sound or cry

squeak Related Forms
squeak′y adjective squeak′i·er, squeak′i·est squeak′i·ly adverb
squeak Idioms

narrow squeak

or close squeak or near squeak

Informal a narrow escape

squeak through

or squeak by

Informal to succeed, get through, survive, etc. by a narrow margin or with difficulty

squeak Synonyms

squeak

n.

peep, squeal, shrill sound; see cry 2, noise 1.

squeak Synonyms

squeak

v.

creak, screech, scritch, peep, squeal, scream, pipe; see also cry 3, sound 1.

squeak Usage Examples

Object

  • noise: The usual method of dealing with problem people is to spend more time with them to try to correct the squeaking noise.
  • door: Reluctant squeaking barn doors moved today, possibly the first time for decades!
  • sound: Pupa Lives in a very fragile cocoon below the soil and is said to produce a squeaking sound shortly before the adult emerges.
  • bit: My brother sits outdoors in the night and squeaks a bit on his oboe, nothing much.
  • home: However we were unable to press home our advantage and in the dying light Totteridge squeaked home with a wicket to spare.

Converse of object

  • hear: Did you ever hear the terrible squeak of chalk on an old dry blackboard?
  • make: Make the balloon squeak for the duration of your bathing experience.
  • have: She has a very loud squeak for such a tiny shoe!

Adjective modifier

  • pitched: The high pitched squeaks of territorial Common Shrews coming from the long grass.
  • loud: She has a very loud squeak for such a tiny shoe!
  • narrow: My Troop had a narrow squeak of being badly mauled, had we not taken cover.
  • little: So you want to get rid of every little squeak and hum?
  • high: The high pitched squeaks of territorial Common Shrews coming from the long grass.
  • high-pitched: Walking up the stairs, Gabe cringed at the high-pitched squeaks that escaped from each step under the weight of his feet.

Modifying Another Word

  • loudly: She followed the yellow signs for the clinic, her feet squeaking loudly on the polished tiles.
  • just: Malcolm Turner Cheshire ' I was speechless, just squeaking!
  • n't: I learned to wax the axle of the wheel so that it would n't squeak.
  • not: The floor can then be replaced using screws to ensure it is secure and does not squeak.

Noun used with modifier

  • pip: He was also noted to have said, " We shall squeeze the orange until the pips squeak, " in favor of reparations.

Used with why or when

  • when: She had a really great smile and always squeaked when she was held.